Knowledge, perceptions and attitude of community members and healthcare workers regarding the donation of breast milk and use of donated human milk (DHM) in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal

dc.contributor.advisorKroon, Stuart
dc.contributor.advisorReimers, Penny
dc.contributor.authorGovender, Nicole
dc.date.accessioned2021-01-27T06:41:26Z
dc.date.available2021-01-27T06:41:26Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.date.updated2021-01-26T18:07:32Z
dc.description.abstractBackground: Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for infants. Human milk banks allow breast milk feeding for infants who do not have access to their own mother's milk. However, there are variable perceptions and attitudes towards human milk banking. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate community members' and healthcare workers' knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards breast milk donation and use in Empangeni, KZN. Methodology: The research was conducted at a large regional hospital and an affiliated primary health care centre in the area. There were five focus group discussions held with healthcare workers employed at the two sites which explored the attitudes regarding donating and receiving breast milk. In addition, there were sixteen individual semi-structured interviews held with community members. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. Results and Discussion: Five main themes were found which includes: “Breastfeeding is an optimal feeding choice”, “Infant feeding choice”, “Misperceptions of HIV”, “Knowledge of DHM” and “Acceptance of DHM”. Though most participants were aware of breastfeeding benefits, there are poor breastfeeding rates within the area. Many mothers choose to formula feed their infants due to the fear of HIV transmission. There is also a fear of HIV transmission when using DHM. Acceptance of DHM was largely related to knowledge of DHM and exposure to its use. Conclusion: Healthcare workers need to be given updated, evidence-based information (in accordance with national guidelines and policies) to ensure appropriate counselling of caregivers. Furthermore, community awareness and engagement is required to improve breastfeeding rates and acceptability of DHM.
dc.identifier.apacitationGovender, N. (2020). <i>Knowledge, perceptions and attitude of community members and healthcare workers regarding the donation of breast milk and use of donated human milk (DHM) in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal</i>. (). ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32699en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationGovender, Nicole. <i>"Knowledge, perceptions and attitude of community members and healthcare workers regarding the donation of breast milk and use of donated human milk (DHM) in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal."</i> ., ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32699en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationGovender, N. 2020. Knowledge, perceptions and attitude of community members and healthcare workers regarding the donation of breast milk and use of donated human milk (DHM) in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal. . ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32699en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Master Thesis AU - Govender, Nicole AB - Background: Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for infants. Human milk banks allow breast milk feeding for infants who do not have access to their own mother's milk. However, there are variable perceptions and attitudes towards human milk banking. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate community members' and healthcare workers' knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards breast milk donation and use in Empangeni, KZN. Methodology: The research was conducted at a large regional hospital and an affiliated primary health care centre in the area. There were five focus group discussions held with healthcare workers employed at the two sites which explored the attitudes regarding donating and receiving breast milk. In addition, there were sixteen individual semi-structured interviews held with community members. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. Results and Discussion: Five main themes were found which includes: “Breastfeeding is an optimal feeding choice”, “Infant feeding choice”, “Misperceptions of HIV”, “Knowledge of DHM” and “Acceptance of DHM”. Though most participants were aware of breastfeeding benefits, there are poor breastfeeding rates within the area. Many mothers choose to formula feed their infants due to the fear of HIV transmission. There is also a fear of HIV transmission when using DHM. Acceptance of DHM was largely related to knowledge of DHM and exposure to its use. Conclusion: Healthcare workers need to be given updated, evidence-based information (in accordance with national guidelines and policies) to ensure appropriate counselling of caregivers. Furthermore, community awareness and engagement is required to improve breastfeeding rates and acceptability of DHM. DA - 2020_ DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Maternal and Child Health LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2020 T1 - Knowledge, perceptions and attitude of community members and healthcare workers regarding the donation of breast milk and use of donated human milk (DHM) in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal TI - Knowledge, perceptions and attitude of community members and healthcare workers regarding the donation of breast milk and use of donated human milk (DHM) in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32699 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/32699
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationGovender N. Knowledge, perceptions and attitude of community members and healthcare workers regarding the donation of breast milk and use of donated human milk (DHM) in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal. []. ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2020 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32699en_ZA
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.subjectMaternal and Child Health
dc.titleKnowledge, perceptions and attitude of community members and healthcare workers regarding the donation of breast milk and use of donated human milk (DHM) in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMPhil
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_hsf_2020_govender nicole.pdf
Size:
3.53 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
0 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Collections